Cremona, the shocking proposal of two teachers: “Studying in the Fccetto Nera class together with Bella Ciao”

“Fccetto nera” and “Bella ciao” will be studied in class. It is the project of the Bissolati elementary school in Cremona. But there is already controversy among the parents. The project envisages “an apolitical approach, according to an exclusively historical didactic perspective”, explain the two teachers who presented the project to some parents, who are against their children being taught the song that has become the anthem of the fascist regime. “A vile song that shouldn’t be taught to elementary school kids. History can’t be explained with Black Face.” The manager of the comprehensive institute, Daniela Marzani, tried to calm the controversy by explaining that “it is not an official project because it is not included in the training offer plan. And in any case it has not yet been approved”. But it seems that these explanations from the principal were not enough and that an official request for clarification from the parents could be reached in the next few hours.

“Fccetto nera” is an extremely controversial piece in the history of Italian music. It speaks of an Italian soldier leaving for Abyssinia who promises “another law and another king” to a “moretta” from present-day Ethiopia. The song was not born as a celebration of fascism. Indeed, Benito Mussolini initially attempted to have it banned for the explicit inter-ethnic motive. Only later was it used to celebrate the Ventennio.